Unit 1. Work & Success.
Practice Test 1. Compulsory Military Service.
This practice test is an agree/disagree essay (similar to the focus question). Using the focus question as guidance, complete an answer to the practice test, then get your writing corrected with feedback from the Essay Marking and Feedback Service.
Download the free PDF Practice Test (including answer sheet)
Please note. To send your essays to the marking and feedback service, only Microsoft Word and WPS Word documents can be accepted (or files that can be copied into word documents)
This practice test should be completed by the student using the previous focus question and on-line videos as guidance. You can follow the instructions below or print and follow the e-book.
Suggested Outline for an Agree / Disagree Essay.
Planning Your Answer.
- Read the question carefully and work out what type of question it is.
- Brainstorm some new vocabulary from the question.
See my free video for STEP 1 to see how I complete this important first step for the focus question.
Remember, NEVER just start writing without first planning your essay (you will write a better essay if you plan it first).
Before you write the introduction ...
- Identify the 2 different viewpoints that you can agree / disagree with.
- Brainstorm about 4 ideas for each viewpoint.
- Decide which viewpoint you will argue for in your essay.
INTRODUCTION.
- Paraphrase the essay title using synonymous vocabulary, AND …
- Write a sentence presenting the opposite view to what you think.
- Write a sentence stating what you think (as a thesis statement)
See the free video for the focus question about salary levels (STEP 2) to see how I do this.
BODY PARAGRAPH 1.
1) Write a main idea supporting the point of view you agree with (not the opposite view)
2) Present 2 or 3 supporting ideas that relate to the main idea.
(make sure you use contrasts and examples in your paragraph)
3) write a summary sentence (optional).
BODY PARAGRAPH 2.
1) Write another main idea supporting the point of view you agree with (not the opposite view)
2) Present 2 or 3 supporting ideas that relate to the main idea.
(make sure you use contrasts and examples in your paragraph)
3) Do NOT write a summary sentence (because you will write a summary conclusion next).
SUMMARY CONCLUSION.
Write a short summary conclusion expressing the reasons why you favour one
particular view and not the other. Also, make sure you express your opinion very
clearly because this question clearly asks for your opinion.
1) Make sure you use a transition signal.
- To sum up / Overall / On the whole.
2) Make sure you express your opinion.
- ... in my opinion, in my view, I think
3) Write a conditional or contrasting complex (summary, not detailed) sentence that expresses your point of view as the strongest idea. Do not introduce new ideas in this paragraph.
To see how I write a band 9 answer using this structure, refer to the video
lessons for the focus question (Salary Levels)
You can also download the free e-book to see how I structure these steps in
more detail.
Links for Unit 1. Work & Success.
- Work & Success - Video Lessons
- Vocabulary Practice - Practice key vocabulary for a band 9 model answer.